Martin Shkreli on Wednesday asked a federal judge to release him early from prison, saying he “has been conducting significant research into developing molecules to inhibit the coronavirus” and would continue doing so if released.
Shkreli says he suffers from asthma and allergies which make him susceptible to contracting Covid-19 if he remains in prison. He was sentenced in March 2018 to serve seven years in prison after being convicted of securities fraud for lying to investors in his hedge funds and manipulating shares in Retrophin Inc., a biotech company he founded.
Shkreli’s lawyers say his research into finding a cure for the coronavirus is a “compelling reason” to release him early from his prison term and allow him to serve the remainder of his term at home.
“Mr. Shkreli has spent countless hours while incarcerated researching disease treatments and possible cures for Covid-19,” his lawyers wrote. “His current project has been well received. One company is prepared to begin working on clinical trials of Mr. Shkreli’s work within weeks.”
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Tina Davis
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